Original Comedy Debut Brings Laughter, Feelings to City Theater December 1

Feelings: A Magical Time-Traveling Love Story
Written and Performed by Brian Gray, Nicole Havranek and Michael Quigley
Featuring drag performer Qarma Kazee
December 1, 2017

Pittsburgh, PA – Feelings: A Magical Time Traveling Love Story is a comedy with heart that examines how love and identity are shaped over time. Written and performed by real-life couple Brian Gray and Nicole Havranek, Feelings tells the story of their pasts, presents and futures with sketch, improv, audience games and emotions. Featuring pieces by local bearded drag performer Qarma Kazee and directed by Point Park alum Renee Rabenold. The world premiere is December 1, 2017 in the Hamburg Studio at City Theater; tickets are on sale now.

Feelings is a live memoir in three acts about Nicole and Brian’s personal journeys from childhood through young adulthood and into an uncertain future. The audience is guided on this journey by their Fairy Drag Mother–the delightfully rude Qarma Kazee–who shares reflections on her own life along the way. The result is an experience full of genuinely relatable laughter, powerfully vulnerable moments, and reflective observations.

“I am thrilled to be bringing this show to life at City Theater,” says writer/performer Brian Gray. “Feelings allowed Nicole and I to explore big topics in our lives: what shaped us growing up, what do we want our future to look like, how do we share meaningfully our experiences with depression and chronic pain? And we hope that by disarming you with laughter, we invite you to ask yourself these same big questions.”

Brian Gray and Nicole Havranek have a combined 20 years experience writing and performing comedy. Brian performs regularly with one of Pittsburgh’s longest running improv teams Irony City in the award-winning Dinner with the Nolens, as well as Iguanatron, The Death Show, and Kill Screen. He co-created comedy concept shows Iguanatron: Wheel of Bits, The End of the World Improv Show, The PROject Improv Experience, and Play it by Ear: An Improvised Play. Nicole has directed, performed and written in sketch shows including 66Canada, Boys with Hats and Persons of Disinterest and performs regularly with Arcade Comedy’s house improv team Mini Dungeon. 

“I am currently navigating the waters of my first long-term relationship (I told you, Qarma’s a bitch),” explains Qarma Kazee’s alter ego, writer/performer Michael Quigley. “Working on a show that examines what makes two individuals work as a loving team within a relationship was exciting and inspirational.”

Qarma Kazee is a bearded lady drag performer based in Pittsburgh. Qarma is drawn to the anachronistic and can be found performing in the cabaret, vaudeville, burlesque, comedy and the general drag scene. 

Feelings is directed by Renee Rabenold, a Point Park University BFA Acting graduate. Renee uses her theater directing skills for photo shoots with her photography company Renee Rabenold Photography. She applies ideas around creating images and themes to her photography, theater, improv and now Feelings. 

Immediately following the show is an After Party in City Theater’s Gordon Lounge where audience members can enjoy wine and beer, mingle with the cast, and laugh along with stand-up from the fast-paced and lovable Cumi Ikeda and delightfully self-deprecating Ossia Dwyer.

Brian Gray, Nicole Havranek and Qarma Kazee are available for an interview upon request.

WHERE:

City Theatre, 1300 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 (South Side). Patron parking is available in the lot across from the City Theatre entrance for $8.

TICKETS:

Tickets start at $19.50, and are available at citytheatre.culturaldistrict.org or by calling the box office at 412.431.CITY (2489).

DISCOUNTS:

Audiences under 30 may reserve $15 tickets in advance. 

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